Portable roller welder



April 20, 1948. w. A. WELGHTMAN PORTABLE ROLLER WELDER Original FliledGot. 26, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet l n z'zzzfiam My, Welgh imam INVENTORATTORNEY April 20, 1948. w. A. WEIGH'TMAN PORTABLE ROLLER WELDEROriginal Filed Oct. 26 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 SN EE- IIIIIIIIIFIIlltlf/ll jWz'ZZzam fl, Weigizimam ENVEVNTOR Q 4 ATTORNEY April 20,1948. w. A. WEIGHTMAN 3 5 PORTABLE ROLLER WELDER Original Filed Oct. 26,1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 i.. m mm WW a m %agiw William .H WeighinianINVENTOR 41 ATTORNEY April w. A. WEIGHTMAN 2,439,915

PORTABLE ROLLER WELDER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Oct. 26, 1943 7II'z'ZZzZzm fl. il'ezlqiziman INVENTOR ATTORNEY W. A. WEIGHTMAN PORTABLEROLLER WELDER April 20, 1948.

Original Filed cat. 26, 1943 \8 v '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY w. A.WEIGHTMAN 2,439,915

PORTABLE ROLLER WELDER Original Filed Oct. 26, 1945 T Sheets-Sheet 6April 20, 1948.

"l E m 2 w m a wwmpfi W I llll vh e I INVENTOR- ATTORNEY April 20, 1948.w. A. WEIGHTMAN 2,439,915

PORTABLE ROLLER WELDER Original Filed Oct. 26, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7Patented Apr. 20, 1948 PORTABLE ROLLER WELDER William A. Weightman,Philadelphia, Pa., as-

signor to The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Continuation of application Serial No. 507,667, October 26,1943. This application October 23, 194.6, Serial No. 705,142

19 Claims.

This is a continuation of applicant's copending application Serial No.507,667, filed October 26, 1943, for Portable roller welders, nowabandoned.

This invention relates to resistance welding apparatus, particularly toa portable roller welder, and has for an object the provision ofimprovements in this art.

One of the particular objects of the invention is to provide acompletely self-contained portable roller welder wherein the drive motoris carried on the welder.

Another object is to provide a portable roller welder having the maximumclear space between the rolls.

Another object is to provide a roller welder which is detachably mountedin two separate parts on the two spaced ends of a yoke to permit the useof yokes of various sizes.

Another object is to provide roll driving means of ample and variablespeed and power which will not stall.

Another object is to provide roll driving means which is advantageouslydisposed relative to the rolls to provide smooth operation at the weldline.

Another object is to provide a portable roller welder in which theweight is advantageously disposed relative to the two ends of the yokeand relative to the point of support.

Another object is to provide improved mounting and adjusting means forthe pressure roll.

Another object is to provide unique roll disposition for special typesof work,

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description of certain exemplary embodimentsthereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment having roll and motor axesaligned with the plane of the yoke;

Fig. 2 is a vertical axial section through the driven roll and relatedparts on one arm of the yoke;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial horizontal section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the pressure roll and relatedparts on the lower arm of the yoke;

Fig. 8 is a partial side elevation to show certain controls, the viewbeing taken on the side opposite that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing the roll heads changed to a differentyoke;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing another yoke shape for adiiierent type of work;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modification;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the apparatus shown inFig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a partial transverse vertical section taken on the line 13-[3of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a partial transverse vertical section taken on the line l4-|4of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the pressure roll and related partsmounted on the lower arm of the Fig. 11 embodiment;

Fig. 16 is a partial vertical axial section taken on the line I6| B ofFig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line l|-l1 of Fig.15.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, the portable roller welding apparatus hereshown comprises a yoke 20 carrying two replaceable heads on the ends ofits arms, the upper arm 20a carrying a driven roll head or assembly Aand the lower arm 20b carrying a pressure roll head or assembly B.

The upper head A is secured to the yokes one end 20a with theinterposition of insulation 2| by bolts 22a and the lower head B issecured to the yokes other end 20b without insulation by bolts 22b,insulation not being needed in the second case because the yoke 20carries current to the lower head from a terminal 23 and a flexiblecable or conductor 24 connected thereto. The upper head A receivescurrent from a terminal 25 connected to one conductor of a water-cooledcable 26, the other conductor of which is connected to said cable 24.

The yoke is hollow and water or other coolant is circulated therethroughand through the heads, flexible hose and tubing connections 28, 29, 30,3| and 32 being employed to circulate the coolant in the path indicatedby the arrows. This path is from a concentric supply hose, made as aunit with the cable 26, to the upper head; from the upper head to theyoke; from the yoke to the lower head; and from the lower head to theother concentric supply hose of cable 26. Within the spindle 34 of theupper or driven roll 35 the coolant is circulated in from the hose 28through a passage and an inner tube 36 and passes out through the shaftboring and passage 31 to hose 29. Within the spindle 39 of the lower orpressure roll 40 the coolant is circulated in the motor comprises aplurality of axial pistons 46 operating in companion cylinders and awabble plate drive shaft 41. It should be noted that the driving motorand most of the gear are arranged on the outside of the yoke or, inother words, roller 35 with its motor and gear are all arranged on oneside of the work line, that is, the plane passing through the contactpoints of both rolls.

The welder is suspended by a clevis 5i) pivoted at 5| to the upper headA closely adjacent the motor 44, and a hoist of any suitable type as bya hook 5! so as to be readily removable.

Means are provided for moving the lower or pressure roll to from andtoward the driven roll and for adjusting its position relative thereto,such means being mounted wholly on the lower arm of the yoke andpreferably on the lower head B. The preferred means here illustratedcomprise a pneumatic motor 55 integral with head B having a piston 55aoperating in a companion cylinder integral with head B and a lever 56pivoted to bifurcated arms of the lower head B at 51 and to the spindlebearing 58 at 59. The lever is connected to the piston rod by a pivotedlink 6%. The specific connection of the pivot pins 59 to the spindlecasing 58 includes. slide blocks 6| on the pins which operate insuitable guides of casing 58.

The piston 55a is retracted by a spring 62 when the air pressure isreleased.

The pressure roll 40 is mounted on the arm 58 in relation to its pivot65 on the lower head so that it will approach the driven roll almost ona straight line.

Means are provided for shifting the pivot '65 so the pressure roll maybe made to approach the driven roll in the most favorable manner and tocompensate for wear and for rolls of different size. The meansillustrated (Fig. 6) comprises a stud or bolt st rotatably mounted inthe pivot 65 and threaded into the head B. The stud is pro-. vided withshoulders on its head 66:: and a collar 6% which engage either side ofthe pivot pin so as to move the latter toward or away from the axis ofthe roll Ml.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 to 17, many of the parts are thesame, in effect, as in the first embodiment. Other parts correspond inkind. All are designated by the same reference characters with theaddition of a prime The principal change is that the Welding rolls 35'and 49' have their planes aligned with the plane of the yoke; or statedanother way, the spindles 34" and 39' are perpendicular to the plane ofthe yoke. This provides travel in a weld line in the plane of the yokeand any width stock within the limits of the yoke opening may beweldedacross its width.

Here again, as in the case of the driven roll and its motor, it shouldbe noted that motor 55 with the transmission to the .roll 40 is arrangedon the same side as the roll of the WOIk line or plane passing throughthe contact points of the rolls and that the motor is arranged on theoutside of the yoke.

The motor 44', as before, has its piston and shaft axis disposed in thedirection of the roll spindle axis. The pressure piston 55', however, isstill parallel to the plane of the yoke.

Operating fluid, preferably air, for the drive motor 44 is supplied by afluid supply line 68 from a fixed control station (not shown). Likewise,operating fluid for the pressure motor 55 is supplied from the controlstation by a fluid supply line 69. A supply and exhaust valve 10 isprovided in the line 59 of the pressure motor at a point convenient tothe operator. It is here shown to be located near the neck or bar of theyoke. Near the same location there is provided a control device N. Thisis a dual two-stage device for controlling the operation of the drivemotor 44 and for controlling the supply of current to the rolls. Thecontrol device H includes a switch operating plunger Na and a quickrelease latch "Mb. The plunger moves down against a spring in two stagesto operate two switches in succession, the latch catching and holdingthe plunger at each stage. The first stage starts the drive motor intooperation and the second stage causes welding current to be supplied. Ifthe latch 'Hb is operated by hand in emergency or to terminate a weldingoperation, the plunger is fully released and moves to the end of itsoutward travel. A control cable 12 extends from the control device H tothe fixed control station. To provide assurance of having sufficientpressure when the welding current is applied there is provided apressure operated contact device 13 connected pneumatically (Fig. 8) tothe supply line 69 on the motor side of the valve 10 and connectedelectrically to the fixed control station.

In operation the valve it is operated to supply fluid to the pressuremotor 55, after which the plunger Ha of the control device H is pusheddown to start the drive motor and to apply the welding current when thepressure switch 13 permits.

Fig. 9 shows an arrangement similar to that of Fig. 1 but in which avery deep yoke 20" has been substituted for the shorter yoke.

Fig. 10 shows a similar arrangement in which a deep yoke 29 is providedand in which the rolls are arranged at a considerable angle to eachother to reach into recesses or to straddle assemblies with thick edges.

It is thus seen that the invention provides welding apparatus which isvery simple and :com pact and easily handled. It will weld alongstraight or curved lines in any direction, the rolls moving along astraight line until shifted by the operator. Surfaces of doublecurvature may be welded as readily as plane surfaces or surfaces ofsingle curvature. The rolls may be opened to insert over or to pass overobstructions. 'The pneumatic motor will drive at any speed with greatpower without speed-change gearing and without danger of stalling. Theoperation is smooth and not likely to disturb the position of the stocksince there is no reciprocatory movement perpendicular to the plane ofthe stock. Nor is there any particular vibration along the length of theseam where roller movement relative to the stock might be produced, themotor shaft and piston axes being perpendicular to the plane of therolls.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated by way of example, it is to be understood that variousembodiments are possible within the limits of the prior art and thescope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable roller welding device comprising in combination, a rigidyoke with spaced arms, a driven welding roller mounted on a first arm ofsaid yoke, a drive motor mounted on said first arm having a drivingconnection with said driven roller, a shifta-ble roller mounted on thesecond arm of said yoke, and a motor mounted on said second arm having aconnection with said shiftable roller for moving it toward and from saiddriven roller.

2. A portable roller welding device comprising in combination, aportable frame having spaced arms, a driven welding roller mounted on afirst arm of said frame, a drive motor mounted on said frame having a,driving connection with said driven roller, a mating welding rollermounted on the second arm of said frame, and a pressure motor mounted onsaid frame for moving one of said rollers toward and from the other,said drive and pressure motors being mounted on opposite sides of thework line between rollers.

3. A roller welding device comprising in combination, a yoke, a weldingroller mounted on one arm of said yoke, a mating welding roller mountedon an arm pivoted to the yoke, the pivot axis being parallel to a planepassing between the rollers, and means for adjusting the position of theroller arm pivot on the yoke arm in a direction transverse to saidplane.

4. A portable roller welding device comprising in combination, aportable frame having a pair of spaced arms, welding rollers mounted onsaid arms, fluid pressure motors mounted on said frame for turning saidrollers and for moving them to closed and open positions respectively,control means mounted at said frame for applying and releasing fluidfrom the motor which opens and closes said rollers, control meansmounted at said frame for applying and releasing fluid from the rollerdriving motor, control means mounted at said frame for applying andhalting electric current flow to said rollers, and means mounted at saidframe for preventing application of electric current until the pressureon said rollers has reached a predetermined amount.

5. A portable roller welding device as set forth in claim 4, furthercharacterized by the fact that said control means comprises switchesmounted in relation to an operator which first causes fluid to besupplied to the roller drive motor and thereafter causes current to besupplied to said rollers, said operator being latched in each stage ofoperation, and means for releasing said operator for full return at onestage.

6. A portable roller welder comprising a frame, a driven welding rollermounted on an arm of said frame, a shiftable mating welding rollermounted on said frame, and separate pneumatic means mounted on saidframe and operated by pneumatic fiuid from a common source of rotatingpositively said driven roller and for shifting said shiftable roller.

7. A portable roller welding device comprising in combination, aportable frame having two companion arms spaced apart at the end, awelding roller mounted on each arm, a motor mounted on said frame formoving said rollers relatively toward and from each other, and a motormounted on said frame for rotating one of said rollers, one of saidmotors driving the roller on one arm, and the other motor moving theroller on the other arm from and toward the driven roller.

8. A portable roller welding device comprising in combination, aportable frame having two companion arms spaced apart at the end, awelding roller mounted on each arm, and separate pneumatic motorsmounted on said frame deriving fluid from a common source for drivingone of said rollers and for moving one of said rollers in at least oneof the directions from and toward the other roller.

9. A roller welding device comprising a frame having two arms, a weldingroller and a motor drivingly connected with said roller mounted on oneof said arms, a member guidingly connected with said frame for movementat least in part toward and away from said roller, a second weldingroller mounted on said member opposite said first roller but free ofdriving connection with said motor, and a second motor between saidframe and said member for moving said rollers toward and away from eachother.

10. In a portable roller welder, a frame having two parts, a weldingroller and a motor drivingly connected with each other and both mountedon one of said parts, a second welding roller mounted on the other oneof said parts opposite said first roller but'free of driving connectionwith said motor, means guidingly connecting said parts, and a secondmotor between said parts for movement of said rollers toward and awayfrom each other.

11. In a portable roller welding device, a frame comprising two hingedlyconnected arms each carrying a welding roller and at least one of themcarrying a motor drivingly connected with only the roller carried by thesame arm, and a second motor interconnecting said arms for moving saidrollers toward and away from each other.

12. A roller welding device comprising a frame having two arms, a firstwelding roller and a first motor drivingly connected with said rollermounted on the first one of said arms, a member guidingly connected tothe other arm of said frame for movement at least in part toward andaway from said roller, a second welding roller carried on said memberopposite said first roller but free of driving connection with saidmotor, and a second motor between said frame and said member for movingsaid rollers toward and away from each other, said frame comprisingthree units removably connected with each other, to wit: a first unitforming at least the end of said first arm and including said firstroller and motor, a second unit constituting at least the end of saidother arm and including said roller carrying member and its guidingconnection as well as the attachment points of said second motor to saidarm and member, and a third exchangeable frame unit interconnecting saidfirst two units.

13. A portable roller welding device comprising: a first unit having amember carrying a first welding roller and a first motor drivinglyconnected with said roller; a second unit including a first membermovably connected to a second member, the latter carrying a secondwelding roller, and a second motor between said two lastnamed membersfor moving them relative to each other; and a third exchangeable unit inthe form of a rigid member interconnecting said member of said firstunit and said first member of said second unit for holding said tworollers in juxtaposition.

14. Unit adapted for removable connection to another complementary unitof a portable roller welder, said unit comprising a supporting memberand a supported member guidingly connected with each other for back andforth movement in 7 one direti'drriiiearis rqrj'earrying a we qip g ueibr'i aia sup'p a member, a g a more: inter; pes d fietwe, said two Iiiers for iiiibaitiiig the aforesaidielativ ernen't, H V

15; V A bortale lie lei: welder eoin'prisi ngi asapporting mem ergroviaeq with means {qr emow able eonnetion to another cempleirienta'riiiin'it of the welder, a supported member, a joilriial Connection betweensaid two mem ers, iiieahs' for ear'ryin a welding roller qri saidsupboi'tdfrn'e'rrF her, and a meter intel'p'os'edb'e en said two membersfor iiieviin g the latter re a (We to each other about the axis of saidjoiiirial connection.

1s, A bortable roner weldipgde e-e'oiiiiirising in combination, aportable frarne having spaed arms, a driven welding roller lflfilljl'lted on a first of said frame, @eiime mover moumd o said frame having adriving *oniiectioh with sai driven roller, a xriatiiig we ding rollermounted on the second arih of said frafne, and means, in oliidifi'g asecond prime 'rnig'vetinounted qnsaia time for moving said T'olle'rsreward and from each other, v

1''7. Iii a portable roller welder, a frame having two arms, one armci'airr yinig; a ram-er driven by a tractor rhoiinted be the outside ofsaid frame, said other earring a iriovabie member with a s rid WeldingT01R21 in jl'ikta position to said firstnamed roller, and aseo'c'miidinetoi' ineii'n'ted on the oiitside or the structure composed ofsaiajrrame and said masher and adaii te'd for m'gs aiu mov ble member soas to move said seeolnd rollerrespectiv'el'3 toward and may from saidfirst roller.

18. A portable roller welding deviee comprising in combination, aportable frame; a 'dii'i eh weldmgrbuer mounted on a first aim or saidframe, a prime mover nie ifi'td on said frame in elose piqximrty to andlfi'a'vir'ig a driving oniietion with said driven roller, meansoarryizi'g a mating welding roller iiio'iiably' indented on a second armof s id frame, and a seooiid b'ririi mover between said frame and saidfneans 'for moving the latter, thereby moving said rollers toward andfrom each other.

19. In a portable roller welder, a frame having two arms; one armcarrying a welding roller driven by a motor mounted "on the outside ofsaid frame, said other am having journalled to ita lever carryinganother welding roller opposite said first-named roller, and a secondmotor mounted on the outside of the structure composed of said frame andsaid lever, that is, on the side of the structure opposite a planebassing between the rollers, said second motor serving for swinging saidlever about its journal so as to move said rollers toward and wa s-0meach other.

WILLIAM A. WEIGHTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are or reeor'd in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nun ber 7 Name bate 1,57e,1 s0 Tobey Mar, 9, 19261,965,521 'Culter July 3, 1934

